Carpool

Carpooling can be set up to be as structured or as flexible as you and your fellow carpoolers want. To work well, it does require some coordination, cooperation and flexibility from those participating. To get started visit OzarksCommute.com

How will carpooling benefit me?

The benefits of carpooling are many. If you are currently driving every day, you’re going to save money on your commute costs by carpooling. In some cases, depending on the length of your commute and the number of days you don’t drive, the savings can be significant. You’ll also enjoy less wear and tear on your vehicle because you’ll be driving it less. You’ll endure less stress on your commute. Finally, by driving less you’ll be helping to keep the air clean.

How do I know if carpooling is right for me?

You really won’t know if it’s a good long-term solution for you until you try it. But, going in, you should be willing to do two things. First, you should be willing to work out a schedule that is convenient for you and the others in the carpool. Second, you should be willing to compromise a bit on conditions in the carpool, if necessary. For example, if everyone likes to listen to a different radio station, the car radio may not be tuned to your favorite station every day.

How do I find other carpoolers?

You can find carpoolers in a number of ways. You can create an account using our free OzarksCommute online matching service and search for other people in your area who are interested in carpooling. You can put the word out at work that you’d like to carpool, either by sending out an e-mail or posting a notice in the lunchroom. You can also advertise through your neighborhood association, your local supermarket, coffee shop or your place of worship.

Carpool members can include work or school associates you already know, or people who live near you and work at a nearby employer. Occasionally the OzarksCommute program ends up helping commuters meet their neighbors by matching people who work at the same company, live near each other but have never met.

I’ve just found some matches using OzarksCommute.com. What should I do now?

You can send an instant e-mail to any of your matches through OzarksCommute, and you don’t even have to write the message; just send the pre-written one if you prefer.

Once you’ve made the initial contact and the match has responded, we suggest you set up a time and place to meet in person to talk about possible carpool arrangements. Some good topics to address at this first meeting include:

Is carpooling safe?

Statistics show carpooling is very safe. However, you must keep your personal safety in mind. If you are considering carpooling with people you do not know, you should meet with them in person beforehand. This meeting will serve two purposes. First, you’ll have a chance to discuss your ideas on setting up a carpool without obligating yourself to do it. Second, you’ll be able to assess your comfort level with the people. Ask questions and trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable about someone, don’t carpool with that person. You can simply say that you’ve decided carpooling won’t work for you.

Are carpoolers supposed to take turns driving?

They can, but it’s not a requirement. In fact, a carpool may include people who will not drive at all. In these cases the “riders” should plan to pay the driver an agreed-upon amount to help out with driving costs. (See below for tips on determining a fair cost for non-drivers.)

If a carpool does switch drivers, this can be done on a daily basis, a weekly basis or longer, depending on the carpoolers’ preferences. This may change over time as new people join the carpool.

Do I have to carpool every day?

Not unless you want to. Carpooling is flexible enough so you can choose the number of days you’d like to share the ride. If you have occasional before- or after-work commitments, just let your carpoolers know that you won’t be available those days.

What are some ways to organize picking up and dropping off people on carpool days?

There are a number of different ways to organize the logistics. If carpool members live close to each other, then the driver can simply come by each person’s house to pick them up. If that’s not feasible, then carpoolers can meet at one of the members’ houses or a centrally located public place. Keep in mind that there are also park-and-ride lots throughout the region that can serve as a meetup point.

On the other end of the commute, carpoolers can plan to meet at a centrally located spot for the driver to pick them up if they don’t work at the same company.

Are there any insurance or liability issues I need to be aware of?

Insurance policies vary, and it is a good idea to check your policy — primarily the Exceptions/Exclusions portions. General liability insurance covers passengers, and most policies would not exclude carpool members, but it is worth checking. Another good reason to put in a call to your agent is to see if you qualify for a carpooling discount.

How much should a nondriver in a carpool pay?

It will vary depending on the carpool. However, some guidelines to consider include how much the driver spends on gas and wear and tear. Below is a table provided by AAA to show average operating costs per mile.

Keep in mind that this table does not include parking fees or tolls. Depending on your carpool, it may be appropriate for a rider to help pay for some of those expenses, too. Learn more about AAA’s Cost of Driving calculations or if you want to calculate the cost for you specific vehicle.

What if I have an appointment or errands to run before, during or after work?

If you have an appointment or errands before or after work and need your car, don’t plan to carpool that day. If your appointment is during work, then plan to drive the carpool that day so you’ll have your car.

If you currently are in the habit of using your car to do errands, go to lunch or go to appointments during the work day, it’s a good idea to ease yourself into carpooling by doing it just once a week initially. Then, find ways to reduce your dependence on driving so you can carpool more often: bring your lunch to work, bundle your errands or take care of them online if possible.

Is there such a thing as good carpool etiquette?

Of course! Every carpool is unique, but good etiquette is essential to keep it running smoothly. Good etiquette takes into account communication, courtesy and the safety of everyone in the carpool.

Do:

Communicate with your fellow carpoolers. If you’re running a few minutes late, call or text them and let them know. If you can’t carpool on a particular day due to a schedule conflict, give your carpool partners ample notice so they can make other arrangements.

Drive safely at all times.

Keep your vehicle clean and in good driving condition.

Respect any other restrictions the carpool has agreed on, such as smoking, eating or drinking.

Don’t:

Make a habit of being late.

Ask your carpoolers to make extra stops along the way so you can take care of personal errands. The carpool is meant to help everyone with their commutes, not help with personal errands, unless agreed upon.

Bring up controversial topics like religion or politics unless you know your fellow carpoolers well. While some people enjoy debating the issues, others may prefer a quieter commute.